GDP per capita of $180 when Maumoon assumed presidency, was at $4500 when he stepped down: Yameen

Presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdulla Yameen has said that the Maldives Gross Domestic Product per capita was at $180 when PPM President, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom first assumed the presidency and that it had increased to $4500 (MVR 69,390) by the time he stepped down.

“(When president Maumoon took over,) our national productivity was at $180 dollars, which was about $4500 by the time he left. This represents development in everything. The infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate, without going into these details, I am telling you the reality,” Yameen said.

Yameen made his statements while speaking at a function in Nasandhura Palace Hotel last night to accept the party deceleration to complete his candidacy.

Yameen vouched to build on the foundations that former president Maumoon had laid down, strengthen the economy and establish a wholesome society. He also promised to ease the foreign currency shortage and reduce the State deficit.

In a separate campaign event in Artificial Beach last night, Yameen reiterated his pledge to reduce the State deficit and eventually bring it to a surplus.

He also spoke to the Maldivian students abroad and said PPM played a major role in allowing the use of debit and credit cards to make payments abroad, a restriction he said, was put in place by the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government.

On a separate note, he said that the Chief Justice has also acknowledged that certain issues are plaguing the judiciary and that PPM is ready to amend the constitution to bring reforms, as suggested by the Chief Justice.

Speaking at the event, Yameen’s running mate Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said that Maldives has experienced the bitterness of a government that disregarded the laws and that a PPM government would ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

He also said that a PPM government will establish a social protections mechanism based on fairness and equality.

At the event in Nasandhura last night, President of PPM, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom asked Yameen to work to protect Islam during his presidency.

He also noted the importance of improving relationships within the international community, but warned against foreign parties trying to infringe the independence and sovereignty of the nation.